Happy 5th!
Last night we saw and heard lots of fireworks,although we heard lots of sirens so we hoped some of those weren't gun shots. Hopkins is not exactly in the best part of town. I did have all eyes on guard as we walked back to the townhouse at 2:00 am last night.
We continue to celebrate today as Hannah is slowly getting rid of machines. Today we got rid of the n-g tube! Hannah's face looks like a bad waxing job due to all the tape that has been on her face but besides that she has even given me a big smile.
If she continues to take sips of apple juice and her lab works continues to look good...we may be moving on out of here! Our new address will be 9th floor! This is good news.
The real medicine will be when Hannah will get to see "Tarly." Evidently Carly just got back from the beach and is anxious to see her little sis. Can't wait to see the smile on Hannie's face.
I think I may get the camera out for this one.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Independence Day
Today is Independence Day for Hannah!
She is no longer connected to the breathing tube! (bragging time - first words out of her mouth were "Tim.")
She no longer has the blood draining from her back!
She is elevated in bed and has her eyes open.
She has watched a Barney on TV.
She is watching a slide show of family pictures - Carly's Sweet 16, family beach pictures, etc.)
She is trying to pull things off her body. Nice try, but the hands are restrained.
She has asked for her wheelchair; i.e., get me outta here!
Very good day so far.
Have to go, they're doing a chest xray.
Happy 4th of July everyone!
With Love,
Tim and Katie
She is no longer connected to the breathing tube! (bragging time - first words out of her mouth were "Tim.")
She no longer has the blood draining from her back!
She is elevated in bed and has her eyes open.
She has watched a Barney on TV.
She is watching a slide show of family pictures - Carly's Sweet 16, family beach pictures, etc.)
She is trying to pull things off her body. Nice try, but the hands are restrained.
She has asked for her wheelchair; i.e., get me outta here!
Very good day so far.
Have to go, they're doing a chest xray.
Happy 4th of July everyone!
With Love,
Tim and Katie
Thursday, July 3, 2008
A Meeting of the Minds
Quick update at a little before 6:00pm.
A wise doctor who followed Hannah once told us that treating her is like treating an elephant; depending on which part of the whole you're looking at, and what your area of expertise is, you can get 100 different diagnoses that are all designed to help each particular area, but may not help the overall condition of the patient. Thus ends my Zen lesson of the day.
It was determined that another blood transfusion would help her swelling and fevers and alleviate the burden that her system was going through. That removing the breathing tube was not an option today. And that leaving ICU was not an option today. They have increased her pain meds because of her discomfort level and they are giving meds around the clock for swelling and nausea.
Hannah is telling us all that she needs to go slower than perhaps what others want or wish, but it WAS a big operation, and she DOES have screwed-in rods from her neck to her tailbone, and her body is adjusting to a fairly big trauma to it.
So here we are, feeling better knowing that she is going to be more comfortable and getting all the help she can.
A wise doctor who followed Hannah once told us that treating her is like treating an elephant; depending on which part of the whole you're looking at, and what your area of expertise is, you can get 100 different diagnoses that are all designed to help each particular area, but may not help the overall condition of the patient. Thus ends my Zen lesson of the day.
It was determined that another blood transfusion would help her swelling and fevers and alleviate the burden that her system was going through. That removing the breathing tube was not an option today. And that leaving ICU was not an option today. They have increased her pain meds because of her discomfort level and they are giving meds around the clock for swelling and nausea.
Hannah is telling us all that she needs to go slower than perhaps what others want or wish, but it WAS a big operation, and she DOES have screwed-in rods from her neck to her tailbone, and her body is adjusting to a fairly big trauma to it.
So here we are, feeling better knowing that she is going to be more comfortable and getting all the help she can.
A small step backwards
We had kind of a rough night - which is to be expected and not out of the ordinary. Here's a quick recap:
* Hannah was nauseous last night, which was rough because of the breathing tube in her mouth. It was stomach bile, which may have been caused by the iron supplements they were giving her because of the extreme loss of blood. We asked to stop the iron, as on an empty stomach it can cause discomfort and nausea.
* We had to re-tape the breathing tube because the tape was covering her mouth - hard to breathe when your mouth is covered and exasperated by the vomiting.
* She was feveral, so they gave her tylenol to help with that.
* She was puffier in the face and hands, so they are continuously giving her lasix (sp?) to help her void (pee) the excess fluids. They were just giving the lasix periodically.
* She was stiff and resistant to any movements to her neck - hello, she was through a big surgery and has rods in her spine!
* They are redusing her pain meds to get her more alert and breathing more on her own and less dependant on the breathing tube.
* Because of the lower meds, she is showing us more discomfort and pain. She refused to sing the sister song or look at a picture of Carly, the dead giveaway that she wasn't feeling well. Tim was hitting the pump, unfortunately none made it into his bloodstream.
* She has an incredible amount of thick, bloody mucous (sorry if you're eating while reading this one - bile and mucous, the Larkin's in ICU!) in the back of her mouth that needed to be suctioned out; this was too much for Katie to watch. Unfortunately, the suctioning would induce Hannah's gag reflex, which produced more nausea.
* So, how ending on a good note Tim? She just passed a breathing test for lung power, so perhaps today they may remove the breathing tube.
*Also, they have some special "socks" and a "therapeutic tube" on her legs to help her circulation. They're a pain, but helpful.
That's about it for now. We're hoping for a quiet day.
* Hannah was nauseous last night, which was rough because of the breathing tube in her mouth. It was stomach bile, which may have been caused by the iron supplements they were giving her because of the extreme loss of blood. We asked to stop the iron, as on an empty stomach it can cause discomfort and nausea.
* We had to re-tape the breathing tube because the tape was covering her mouth - hard to breathe when your mouth is covered and exasperated by the vomiting.
* She was feveral, so they gave her tylenol to help with that.
* She was puffier in the face and hands, so they are continuously giving her lasix (sp?) to help her void (pee) the excess fluids. They were just giving the lasix periodically.
* She was stiff and resistant to any movements to her neck - hello, she was through a big surgery and has rods in her spine!
* They are redusing her pain meds to get her more alert and breathing more on her own and less dependant on the breathing tube.
* Because of the lower meds, she is showing us more discomfort and pain. She refused to sing the sister song or look at a picture of Carly, the dead giveaway that she wasn't feeling well. Tim was hitting the pump, unfortunately none made it into his bloodstream.
* She has an incredible amount of thick, bloody mucous (sorry if you're eating while reading this one - bile and mucous, the Larkin's in ICU!) in the back of her mouth that needed to be suctioned out; this was too much for Katie to watch. Unfortunately, the suctioning would induce Hannah's gag reflex, which produced more nausea.
* So, how ending on a good note Tim? She just passed a breathing test for lung power, so perhaps today they may remove the breathing tube.
*Also, they have some special "socks" and a "therapeutic tube" on her legs to help her circulation. They're a pain, but helpful.
That's about it for now. We're hoping for a quiet day.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Baby Steps..to recovery
It's noon and Tim and I feel 100 percent better than yesterday. It's amazing what sleep, prayers, and a good shower can do for you. Thanks to our dear friend, Lynn we are staying in a townhouse 1 block from the hospital.
Here is the good news we got so far today. Yesterday, Hannah lost her total blood supply. (Glad they didn't tell us that yesterday. She needed yet another transfusion last night (4 in total I think). The resident said that the blood loss came mostly at the end of the surgery. He said that this is a little shock to one's system. So for the next 48 hours we are looking for baby steps. If she gets better the next step will be to get her off the breathing machine.
We want you all to know that this is such a comfort to read your thoughts and comments. I know it's not so private , but the ability to use wireless right in ICU (where we can't use cell phones) is amazing. If you are curious how to help...guess what..you are already doing what is the most important right now! Giving prayers and support. Thank you for doing this for us!
This am the good news is:
Here is the good news we got so far today. Yesterday, Hannah lost her total blood supply. (Glad they didn't tell us that yesterday. She needed yet another transfusion last night (4 in total I think). The resident said that the blood loss came mostly at the end of the surgery. He said that this is a little shock to one's system. So for the next 48 hours we are looking for baby steps. If she gets better the next step will be to get her off the breathing machine.
We want you all to know that this is such a comfort to read your thoughts and comments. I know it's not so private , but the ability to use wireless right in ICU (where we can't use cell phones) is amazing. If you are curious how to help...guess what..you are already doing what is the most important right now! Giving prayers and support. Thank you for doing this for us!
This am the good news is:
1. They took her off Fentenell (sp?) a medicine to help regulate your blood pressure. It is still low but she is holding her own. They did an Xray of her chest and lungs, and we guess it looked good.
2. Her face looks a tiny bit less swollen, as does her hands.
3. Hannah opens her eyes..and shakes her head "no" to our singing! She is aware enough to know we don't have good voices...or we are not singing the right song she wants! She is moving her hands and toes, which is great. She is "mouthing" things to us, and seems glad to see us.
4. She can't talk but mouthed "Tarly" her name for her sister, when shown Carly's picture.
5. She is bleeding a little less from yesterday from her wounds on her spine.
Thanks for all your love and wishes,
Katie and Tim
7/2 12:40pm
t
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Hanging on in ICU
Hi everyone,
Hannah is hanging on. She is in ICU and out of it. She is getting another blood transfusion as we speak. She has squeezed our hands and opened her eyes a bit. Her blood presure is lower than they like so they are giving her more blood to help with that.
Doctor Sponseller said that she is much straighter now but she bled a lot in the OR. They had to give quite a bit of blood in there. She is also very puffy and swollen. That should get better.
Now we need to channel our prayers that there will be no infection from this.
They are going to keep the ventalor on her for now. Our nurse doesn't leave the room and the head of nursing knows us from previous surgeries. It's so nice to have so many friends in all kinds of places. Hannah said she will "fight hard" and "be strong" right before she was taken from the Pre-Op room. She keeps her promises.
7/1 at 5:50
Hannah is hanging on. She is in ICU and out of it. She is getting another blood transfusion as we speak. She has squeezed our hands and opened her eyes a bit. Her blood presure is lower than they like so they are giving her more blood to help with that.
Doctor Sponseller said that she is much straighter now but she bled a lot in the OR. They had to give quite a bit of blood in there. She is also very puffy and swollen. That should get better.
Now we need to channel our prayers that there will be no infection from this.
They are going to keep the ventalor on her for now. Our nurse doesn't leave the room and the head of nursing knows us from previous surgeries. It's so nice to have so many friends in all kinds of places. Hannah said she will "fight hard" and "be strong" right before she was taken from the Pre-Op room. She keeps her promises.
7/1 at 5:50
Hannah's in the OR
Hi friends,
We had to wake up at 3:00 am and give Hannah a shower with special soap to prevent infection. We did this last night as well. To her credit she didn't mind singing about her family and her beloved "Lucy" so early.
Last night we did the usual, spaghetti dinner...this time at Mama Lucia's her favorite.
She was good up until we went in the OR and tried to calm her down by singing. Thank Goodness the gas mask works so quick.
Today is the day the new staff, residents, fellows etc. come on board, so Hannah was the subject of about 10 newcombers. We thought she would be scared but our little Miss Social was flirting asking each their names. Does she know how to work a crowd.
Tim is being productive and my brain already hurts from only 3 hours sleep...Just like when the kids were babies. The doctors said they may not need the neurosurgeon, it just depends how the spinal cord reacts when they start bending or cutting the bone. The actual surgery will be about 6hours...plus prep. It took them 2 hours before they started.
Thanks for your support. We are feeling rather positive, loved, and calm right now!
We had to wake up at 3:00 am and give Hannah a shower with special soap to prevent infection. We did this last night as well. To her credit she didn't mind singing about her family and her beloved "Lucy" so early.
Last night we did the usual, spaghetti dinner...this time at Mama Lucia's her favorite.
She was good up until we went in the OR and tried to calm her down by singing. Thank Goodness the gas mask works so quick.
Today is the day the new staff, residents, fellows etc. come on board, so Hannah was the subject of about 10 newcombers. We thought she would be scared but our little Miss Social was flirting asking each their names. Does she know how to work a crowd.
Tim is being productive and my brain already hurts from only 3 hours sleep...Just like when the kids were babies. The doctors said they may not need the neurosurgeon, it just depends how the spinal cord reacts when they start bending or cutting the bone. The actual surgery will be about 6hours...plus prep. It took them 2 hours before they started.
Thanks for your support. We are feeling rather positive, loved, and calm right now!
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